To celebrate the 76th birthday of the NHS people across the nation have been pinning up their bunting, dusting off their tablecloths and popping on the kettle to host NHS Big Tea events; including 20 teams from across Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.
The events were a great opportunity to bring workplaces, families, friends and communities together to connect over a cuppa, enjoy a slice of cake and raise funds for NHS charities.
We’re so thankful to everyone who took part and helped raise funds for Mersey Cares. Your support will enable us to tackle health inequalities, challenge stigma and fund projects across the Trust; beyond the typical scope of the NHS.
We're still counting the pennies from the charity boxes, but we've already counted more than £1,000 in donations!
Below we've included a selection of photos from NHS Big Tea events across Merseyside and Cheshire, showcasing an incredible range of home-made bakes and sweet treats as well as raffles, games - and a bake-off competition to rival the C4 showstopper (move over, Paul Hollywood!).
Thank you so much to Tesco and Asda stores for donating a selection of cakes and teabags, and to artisan bakery, Lunko, whose out-of-this-world pastries went down a treat at Hollins Park.
Meet the NHS Big TEAms!
Informatics Merseyside
As well as a NHS Big Tea party, Informatics Merseyside hosted their own take on the Great British Bake Off, 'The Great IM Bake Off'. Bakes were judged against the strict criteria of taste, presentation and alignment with the NHS birthday theme by the Senior Leadership Team including Bernadine Lynam, Steven Parker and Rob Tinkler.
Prizes were awarded for up to 6th place, with the Star Baker prize presented to Nicky Gardner, Digital Skills Trainer (pictured with Steven Parker, right), who took home the official Great British Bake-Off apron and Star Baker wooden spoon.
Speaking after the event, Nicky said:
"We had a great time on Friday. I was so nervous when they were announcing the winner – but it all added to the fun of taking part. I’m still on cloud 9 after winning Star Baker!"
The team also organised an NHS birthday-themed quiz and raffle, with prizes including vouchers for local restaurants, plus a Virtual Elevenses Big Tea Party event, which included live coverage from the judging of the Bake Off competition for those who were unable to attend Saturn House.
Bernadine Lynam, Associate Director of Digital said:
"We knew we worked with very talented colleagues when it comes to all things Digital but what we weren’t aware of was how many incredibly talented bakers we have in IM! These cakes were professional standards! A huge thank you to everyone who came to Saturn on July 5 to celebrate 76 years of the NHS and for making it such a special day."
Pine Ward, Hartley Hospital
Over at Hartley Hospital in Southport, Assistant Occupational Therapist, Deborah Atherton, hosted a tea party which included a huge selection of cakes and sandwiches made by staff and patients as well as treats and teabags donated by a local Tesco store. The team also held a raffle with a range of prizes up for grabs from chocolates and toiletries to houseplants and drinks. As well as the event for Mersey Care staff and visitors, the team also engaged patients with NHS Big Tea games and activities.
Deborah shared that the feedback from the event was excellent, with many asking for it to be a regular occurrence.
"It was so good for team camaraderie whilst raising money for such a great cause. Patients enjoyed the event and helping to plan, prepare and be a part of it. We also had patients entertaining the crowds by playing the guitar and singing."
Clock View Occupational Therapy Team
The Occupational Therapy team at Clock View hospital in Walton, Liverpool, celebrated the NHS' birthday by hosting a Big Tea event with fundraising activities such as "guess the smell of the tea", a raffle and a tombola, as well as a selection of delicious cakes and bakes.
A special mention has to go Mandy Gilgannon the ward clerk on Alt ward; for her show-stopping '76' cake with blue and white frosting; the ultimate birthday cake to mark the NHS' anniversary (pictured below).
“We had a great day celebrating and had lots of positive feedback from staff and patients!”
Longmoor House
The therapy team at Longmoor House organised a NHS Big Tea party for patients to attend in both dining room facilities. Staff brought in cakes (bought and home baked) for the patients to enjoy with a cup of tea (served in vintage teacups!) after their lunch. Staff from across the unit also enjoyed the cakes and took part in games to win prizes for a small donation.
"The whole afternoon was a huge success with positive feedback from patients, staff and relatives and as a result we are looking towards organising our next fund raising event! One patient reported that he would 'pay £1,000 to attend a party like that again'!"
Natalie McCulloch, Physiotherapist
Employee Lifecycle – V7
At our Trust headquarters in Prescot, the Employee Lifecycle Team hosted an event open to all staff sharing a range of delicious homemade bakes.
“Our event went really well. It was so lovely for our team to unite and come together to support the cause. They donated, baked, and helped on the day. I’m extremely proud to be a part of the Employee Lifecycle Team.”
Lyndsey Seddon - Employee Services Assistant
Charity Team at Hollins Park
The charity team hosted an event at Hollins Park sharing a range of cakes donated from Tesco and trays of hand-rolled sweet pastries donated from artisan bakery Lunko. The bakery which is situated on Little Parkfield Road, Aigburth has a growing reputation for exquisite cakes and Mersey Care staff were treated to a variety of treats from croissants and pain au chocolate to deliciously moreish Biscoff cubes.
Joanne Watson, Strategic Lead at Mersey Cares said:
“It was great to host another NHS Big Tea at Hollins Park and we’re grateful to everyone who popped over to say hello, make a donation and enjoy some tea and cake with us. We’re also hugely thankful to Tesco and Asda who donated cakes to support many of our events and to Lunko, whose delicious artisan pastries stole the show! Funds will be used to support our specialist mental health and community services to develop projects and initiatives that sit outside of the scope of the NHS.”
Thanks so much to everyone who hosted events in and out of the Trust and to those who baked, bought cakes and raffle tickets and those who attended and donated. Your donations mean so much and will enable us to support services across Cheshire and Merseyside.
We're currently busy counting up kind donations to our charity boxes and will announce the collective grand total soon!
